Dotcom has formally launched a political party in New Zealand ahead of the country's general elections in September. The new Internet Party is a “movement for the freedom of the Internet and technology, for privacy and political reform,” Dotcom commented at a press conference in advance of the launch, the BBC reported.

According to the party’s website, its aim is to “give you faster, cheaper Internet, create high-tech jobs, protect your privacy, and safeguard our independence.” Other agenda items include copyright reform and creating a secure digital currency in New Zealand. The Internet Party even has an app.

Dotcom originally wanted to launch his political party with a giant celebration in January, but he canceled it when he was informed that it might run afoul of New Zealand election laws.

The US government is currently seeking extradition of Dotcom in order to try him for what Department of Justice prosecutors have called Megaupload’s facilitation of illegal downloading of media content and copyright infringement on a massive scale, to the tune of $175 million. Dotcom denies any wrongdoing.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has dismissed Dotcom’s political aspirations, comparing his party to one formed by a television comedy duo as a stunt. “I put him in that grouping of a whole bunch of sort of random minnow kind of people. Whether it’s Bill and Ben or McGillicuddy Serious or a bunch of other people, he’s in that grouping,” said Key.

When you get busted doing illegal things, go ahead and run for office. I will be shocked if his plans lead to him being voted into office. I suppose its worth a try.

He can't be voted into parliament.

You need to be a citizen to become an MP in NZ. Dotcom is only a permanent resident.

With enough citizen pressure, couldn't he be naturalized?

Theatrically yes, but his party is not likely to even get 5% of the vote, which is the minimum to get someone into parliament on party vote. They are a very fringe party who are going up against the current in power National party, which has led our country through the recession and we are now seeing more jobs and growth than we have seen in years, there is not a ground swell of support to get some foreign fraud who likes a lavish life style any more involved in our politics than he is buying himself into at the moment.

When you get busted doing illegal things, go ahead and run for office. I will be shocked if his plans lead to him being voted into office. I suppose its worth a try.

He can't be voted into parliament.

You need to be a citizen to become an MP in NZ. Dotcom is only a permanent resident.

With enough citizen pressure, couldn't he be naturalized?

Theatrically yes, but his party is not likely to even get 5% of the vote, which is the minimum to get someone into parliament on party vote. They are a very fringe party who are going up against the current in power National party, which has led our country through the recession and we are now seeing more jobs and growth than we have seen in years, there is not a ground swell of support to get some foreign fraud who likes a lavish life style any more involved in our politics than he is buying himself into at the moment.

So, do you see this as being a Kiwi flavored version of the whole RONPAUL movement?

Theatrically yes, but his party is not likely to even get 5% of the vote, which is the minimum to get someone into parliament on party vote. They are a very fringe party who are going up against the current in power National party, which has led our country through the recession and we are now seeing more jobs and growth than we have seen in years, there is not a ground swell of support to get some foreign fraud who likes a lavish life style any more involved in our politics than he is buying himself into at the moment.

He's claiming that he has signed up a sitting electorate MP who shall remain nameless for now (but confirmed that it isn't Hone Harawira). That gets around the 5% threshold.

One of the possible motivations Kim might have could be to make himself attached to the NZ political system (leader of a recognized party) in such a way as to change the rules of extradition that may or may not apply to him by doing so. Just a thought. I would certainly be thinking that way.. I wouldn't trust that the US authorities are going to just forget all about Megaupload, especially with the human need to save face; in this case by doggedly pursuing him to the end.

How is his lawsuit against the government going? Would the trial start before his extradition? After the illegal search and seizure, wouldn't the extradition make the government look corrupt? Not sure how this all plays in NZ.

How is his lawsuit against the government going? Would the trial start before his extradition? After the illegal search and seizure, wouldn't the extradition make the government look corrupt? Not sure how this all plays in NZ.

There is zero chance of the Internet Party getting a seat in September. I'll eat my hat if I'm wrong.

You don't even have a Hat...Kim Dotcom managed to get over 1000 people to join The Internet Party within 48 hours. This may not seem a lot by US standards but you have to consider one Peter Dunne, who aligned himself with the current National Party which is now being accused of corruption and cronyism on a large scale. Mr Dunne had his party, United Future, declared void for having less than the required 500 members, it took him almost 6 months to get the numbers.Dotcom may be dismissed as a joke by PM John Key (of who it was said at the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, who is that guy?) but he has more credibility than the PM amongst younger voters, many of whom did not vote in the last election because they were either too young or didn't care to vote for a bunch of boring people.Kimbo may not be flavour of the month in the US or among the conservative people of NZ but he sure ain't boring.